Best Drivers, Mini Drivers & Premium Shafts | Fitters Choice 2026

Best Drivers, Mini Drivers & Premium Shafts | Fitters Choice 2026

Author: 2nd Swing Golf March 16, 2026 Duration: 59:15
In this week's episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast, Drew Mahowald and Sean Bower are live in the studio to break down a massive week in the world of golf. Fresh off a thrilling finish at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, the guys discuss Cam Young’s performance and the equipment  that led him to the winner's circle. The highlights of the show are the exclusive reveals for the early-season 2026 Fitters’ Choice Awards. Based on data from thousands of fittings, we crown the best-performing drivers, mini drivers and shafts on the market right now. Plus, we take a deep dive into the latest hardware from PING, including the i540 and G740 irons, and Titleist’s limited edition "Oil Can" T-Series launch.   00:00 – Intro: Live from the studio and recap of the Minnesota blizzard. 02:00 – The Players Championship Recap 07:23 – Ping’s Triple Launch: First impressions of the i540 (Players Distance), G740 (Super Game Improvement), and the G LE4 women’s line. 10:05 – Titleist News: The "Oil Can" finish on T-Series irons. 11:35 – WITB: Cam Young 20:40 – Tour Equipment Nuggets: Matt Fitzpatrick’s putter switch, Wyndham Clark’s "off-the-rack" Bettinardi, and Bryson’s new wedges. 26:29 – 2026 Fitters’ Choice Awards: Drivers & Shafts Core Driver: Ping G440 Max Low Spin Driver: Titleist GT3 Draw Bias: Ping G440 K Lightweight: Ping G440 HL Mini Driver: TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Shafts: High, Mid, and Low launch winners from the Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ line. 37:27 – Deep Dive: Ping i540 Irons: Interview with Ping Senior Engineer Travis Milleman 44:27 – Deep Dive: Ping G740 Irons: Maximizing forgiveness and height for the super game improvement category. 50:40 – Listener Q&A: Upgrading from Aerojet to DS-ADAPT, and why swing speed isn't the only factor in shaft flex. 54:50 – Looking Ahead: Next week’s preview (Fairway Woods & Hybrids) and the March Major Contest details.

For golfers who believe the right equipment is more than just a purchase-it's a pivotal part of their game, 2nd Swing Thoughts offers a clear advantage. This isn't about superficial reviews or fleeting opinions. Instead, the team at 2nd Swing Golf connects you directly with the engineers, fitters, and designers who shape the gear you use. Each conversation digs into the nuanced world of modern club technology, breaking down how subtle changes in loft, lie, shaft composition, and head design translate to tangible differences on the course. You'll gain a practical understanding of current equipment trends, moving beyond marketing buzzwords to grasp the actual physics and fitting principles that can lower your scores. The focus here is on actionable insight: learning not just what you might want to play, but precisely why a certain driver, iron, or wedge could be the key to unlocking your potential. It’s a deep, ongoing education in the tools of the sport, hosted by people who live and breathe golf tech every single day. Tune in to make your next equipment decision an informed one, armed with knowledge that turns speculation into confidence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

2nd Swing Thoughts
Podcast Episodes
What Are We Seeing in 2nd Swing Fittings? | Titleist Trends in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
What are we seeing in 2nd Swing Fittings when it comes to Titleist Clubs? In this episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast we head to Titleist Performance Institute to discuss the top Titleist Trends in 2025 our Fitters…
Angle of Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:19
Angle of Attack and Ben Griffin's WITB are this week's featured topics in the 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast. 2nd Swing Master Fitters Jake Montgomery and Harrison Arnold break down the importance of Angle of Attack and how…
The Importance of Spin in a Properly Fitted Golf Bag [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
The importance of spin in a properly fitted golf bag is the main topic in this 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast. 2nd Swing Master Fitters Jake Montgomery and Harrison Arnold breakdown the importance of spin in club fittings an…
What Golf Clubs Does an Elite Golfer Play + Top Driver Fitting Trends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:16
What golf clubs does an elite level golfer play? What were the top driver fitting trends of the year? Those are the main topics in this week's episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast. 2nd Swing Master Fitter Harrison A…
Fitting Talk | Favorite Club Fittings + Xander Schauffele WITB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:39
Fitting Talk is the theme of this episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast. Three 2nd Swing Master Fitters join the show to talk club fitting. 2nd Swing's Tyler Fitzel breaks down Xander Schauffele's Winning WITB and ta…
Club Fitting & Data Insights into the Equipment on Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:36
Club Fitting and Data are intertwined throughout golf. In this 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast, we dive into the equipment on Tour in two different avenues. First, 2nd Swing Master Fitter Jake Montgomery shares his fitting in…
End of Golf Season Club Fittings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:10
Why is an end of golf season club fitting so beneficial? In this 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast, 2nd Swing Master Fitter Tyler Fitzel joins the show discuss the importance of an end of golf season club fitting, and how it ca…
Fitting Insights + Top Clubs at The Ryder Cup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
Club Fitting Insights and The Ryder Cup. Those are the topics in this week's 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast. 2nd Swing Master Fitter Jake Montgomery joins the show to answer questions from the viewers on all things golf incl…
What's In His Bag? | Kevin Kraft's WITB from 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:53
Who doesn't enjoy an updated WITB with Kevin Kraft? In this 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast renowned club tinkerer and 2nd Swing Master Fitter Kevin Kraft breaks down his golf bag's current setup and explains why he opted for…
Properly Gapping Your Bag with a Club Fitting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:40
Gapping your bag properly is one of the key parts in a 2nd Swing Club Fitting. While getting fit for new golf clubs is one of the best ways to create more consistency in your golf game, making sure your clubs cover as ma…